Standard bacterial strains (American Type Culture Collection,
ATCC) were evaluated for their sensitivity to different spathe
extracts. Gram positive bacteria used were S. aureus ATCC 25923, S.
aureus ATCC 29213, Staphylococcus saprophyticus ATCC 15305 and
L. monocytogens ATCC 7644. The Gram negative ones challenged
in the study were E. coli ATCC 25922, Salmonella enterica subsp.
enterica serovar enteritidis ATCC 13076 (Salmonella enterica ATCC
13076), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853. Bacterial strains
were maintained at 5 ◦C in Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) slants (Oxoid,
UK). Stock cultures were maintained at −20 ◦C in BHI containing
10% sterile glycerol. Working cultures were activated in nutrient
broth at 37 ◦C for 18 h.